Combination maternity-nursing bra-slip



A ril 6, 1965 N. A. MARINO COMBINATION MATERNITY-NURSING BRA-SLIP Filed March 22, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENWgR. Hie/Zola; a. 77Zarino M ,2! /W; 6H2.

April 6, 1965 SLIP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E A (I ys I United States Patent 3,176,692 CGMEENATIQN MA'llERNiTY-NURSING ERA SLEP Nicholas A. Marine, Chicago, Ill., assignor to ears, Born buck and o., Chicago, Ill, a corporation Us New Yuri; Filed Mar. 22, 1963, her. No. 267,295 2 Claims. (Cl. 128-454) My invention relates to intimate wearing apparel for females, and has to do more particularly with combination garments especially adapted for wear by pregnant wot 16B and after parturition during the nursing period.

I am well aware that so-called nursing brassieres are old in the art, and also that it is old to provide garments of various types, such as dresses, etc., which are adjustable in size to permit convenient enlargement to accon modate changes in the figure of the wearer during pregnancy. Nevertheless, it is believed that I have provided a combination slip and brassiere of novel construction having many advantages as compared with garments of this character heretofore known.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the appended drawings forming a part ofthis specification and illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination brassie're and slip illustrative of my invention and displayed on a pregnant female figure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same garment displayed on a normal figure, with one cup of the brassiere part of the garment in condition for nursing;

EEG. 3 is-la fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the brassiere part of the garment, with the fiap portion of the brassiere secured;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but with the flap disengaged to its securing means, preliminary to nursing, and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear perspective View of a cup of the brassicre part of the garment, with the flap portion thereof disengaged from its securing means and turned down, in condition for nursing.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, my invention contemplates a combination garment in serving as a com bined slip and brassiere, comprising a lower skirt portion 12 and an upper brassiere portion 115.

It will be noted that the skirt portion comprises a front panel 17 and a rear panel 18, said panels being stitched together along generally vertically seams 119 (Fl-G. 1), said panels 17 and 13 being formed of any suitable substantially inelastic textile fabric, such as artificial silk or the like. The skirt portion 12 terminates at its upper extremity at a point somewhat above the natural Waist of the wearer, as is customary in garments of this character, being attached to brassiere portion 15 along a generally horizontal seam 25.

Inserted between the panels 17 and 18 is a pair of side gussets 2d, 28, these gussets being formed preferably of a lacey fabric which is elastic in character at least in a horizontal direction and preferably in both horizontal and vertical directions, these panels 2b, Ztl being disposed adjacent the sides of the wearer and extending from seam to a point at or below the thighs of the wearer. Said gussets 2b are preferably so woven of a single filament, such as cotton or artificial silk, as to have a permanent elasticity.

Secured to the front of skirt portion 12 along the seam Ed is a pair of webs 27, 27. These webs are designed to overlie a portion of the diaphragm of the wearer and are preferably formed of a lacey fabric which is stretchable both horizontally and vertically.

While the fabric constituting the gussets 2d, 2% is of dd'ldfillz l atented Apr. 6, 1%65 such a weave so as to provide elasticity by reason of the weave structure itself, and thus yields or stretches with relatively slight resistance, the material constituting the webs 2'7, 27 is preferably formed of a combination filament (such as a cotton-covered rubber filament or the like) which will provide substantial resistance to pre sure. Thus, by reason of the aforesaid differences in structure of gussets 2% as compared with the webs 27, the skirt portion 12 will fit rather loosely, although neatly, on the lower portion of the figure, particularly over the abdomen and buttocks, .while the brassiere portion 23 will conform snugly to the upper portion of the figure and will thus provide adequate support where support is needed.

Disposed above webs 27, 27 are cup portions indicated generally by the numerals 3d, 3t) and described in greater detail herebelow. A generally diamond-shaped insert is disposed between and stitched to cup portions and also extends down and is likewise stitched to webs 27, 27, said diamond shaped member being substantially inelastic.

Back panels 35, are stitched to webs 27, these panels preferably being formed of a horizontally stretchable and relative open-weave fabric, preferably providing substantial resistance to stretching. Said panels 35 may be provided with books and eyes or like fastening means (not shown) whereby they may be detachably secured together adjacent the middle of the back. Disposed between panels 35 and cup portions 3% are relatively inelastic fabric panels 42, 42, stitched along their bottom edges to webs 27.

Marginal reinforcing means, such as a tape 39 or the like, is secured to and extends around substantially the entire top of brassiere part 2?, and a pair or" back shoulder raps d5, have their rear extremities stitched to panels 3 5', 35 at points not shown, said straps carrying adjustable buckles as or the like at their forward extremities. V

The structure of the cup portions Ell, Ell is substantially as follows. Referring to FIG. 5, looking at a cup portion from the inside of the garment, it will be noted that I provide a generally crescent-shaped inner flap secured along its lower arcuate edge 51 above one of the webs 27 and to one of the side members 42, and to diamondehaped insert 32 along reinforced seam Ell, the upper edge 52 of said crescent-shaped flap being free. Said flap Si is preferably formed of a suitable inelastic woven textile fabric such as cotton, artificial silk or the like.

Secured forwardly of and directly contiguous to crescent-shaped iiap 5'0 is a generally arcuate intermediate member 55, also preferably formed of a suitable inelastic woven fabric, the lower extremities of this member being stitched to members 52 and 32, respectively, along the seam Ell, the reinforced-inner edge 57 defining a substantial opening 6d so shaped as a surround the nipple portion of the wearers breast. It will be noted (FIGS. 3 and 4) that the two arms of member extend upwardly in a generally t -formation, a tape 6?; being stitched thereto and extending through buckle dd adjustably carried by tape 45, the free end of tape 62 carrying a buckle e7 adapted to be detachably secured to a fabric loop 68 or other suitable attaching member carried on the upper extremity of an outer flap 7t Flap "id, also preferably formed of an inelastic woven textile fabric, such as cotton or the like, comprises a lower generally hemispherical segment 72 stitched along its lower generally circular edge on seam 51 to diamondshaped nsert 32 and side panel 42. Stitched to the upper edge is of said lower segment 72 is a generally hernispherical segment i7 having secured to the upper extrema ity thereof a suitable attaching means such as fabric loop 68 for detachable engagement with buckle 67.

It will be seen that I have provided an extremely versatile garment of special value to women in certain physical conditions. During pregnancy, as the figure increases in girth, the garment will continually readjust itself to the growing figure, fitting snugly, although without excess pressure, around the hips and abdomen, while conforming closely to the diaphragm, so as to provide adequate support for the bosom and torso. Thus, the wearer will find the garment comfortable and well-fitting at all times, as'distinguished from the usual loose-fitting maternity garments. The only manual readjustment which may be desirable from time to time may be made by sliding buckles 46 along their respective tapes 45, to allow for bodily growth.

When the time comes for nursing, it will be seen that brassiere portion 15 will serve not only for adequate support of the bosom, which at this stage is especially needful of support, but also will serve conveniently to permit nursing without relaxing such support in the slightest degree. Thus, to expose the nipple for nursing, it is only necessary to disengage loop 68 from its buckle 6'7, thereupon turning down outer flap 7th, the large opening 61) serving to expose an ample area of the nipple to meet the needs of the nursing infant, while adequate support is maintained by inner flap 5% and intermediate member E5.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the 4 same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination slip-type garment, comprising (a) a skirt portion and a nursing-bra portion secured together adjacent the waist line,

(b) said skirt portion having gussets adjacent the sides thereof and tapering from a maximum width adjacent the waist to a point adjacent the lower thighs, said gussets being vertically and horizontally elastic,

(c) said bra portion having a pair of cup portions each with a detachable flap exposing the breast nipple to permit nursing,

(d) a vertically and horizontally elastic panel below said cups extending substantially across the diaphragm, and

(e) horizontally elastic back panels.

2. A combination as in claim 1 wherein (a) said gussets are formed of a lacey fabric, and

(b) said diaphragm and back panels are formed of relatively open-mesh fabric.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS R. PRINCE, Primary Examiner.

ADELE M. EAGER, Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION SLIP-TYPE GARMENT, COMPRISING (A) A SKIRT PORTION AND A NURSING-BRA PORTION SECURED TOGETHER ADJACENT THE WAIST LINE, (B) SAID SKIRT PORTION HAVING GUSSETS ADJACENT THE SIDES THEREOF AND TAPERING FROM A MAXIMUM WIDTH ADJACENT THE WAIST TO A POINT ADJACENT THE LOWER THINGHS, SAID GUSSETS BEING VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY ELASTIC, (C) SAID BRA PORTION HAVING A PAIR OF CUP PORTIONS EACH WITH A DETACHABLE FLAP EXPOSING THE BREAST NIPPLE TO PERMIT NURSING, (D) A VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY ELASTIC PANEL BELOW SAID CUPS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY ACROSS THE DIAPHRAGM, AND (E) HORIZONTALLY ELASTIC BACK PANELS. 